One Direction have reassured fans they will not split up following Zayn Malik's exit.

Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson opened Capital's Summertime Ball with Vodafone at Wembley Stadium, after playing their first UK gig as a foursome in Cardiff last night, since Malik left the group in March.

Payne batted away the rumours, saying backstage before they performed: "We don't know where that came from because we've got loads of stuff going on.

"We have just started the process for recording the new album, we've got a whole new tour going on, there are some really good songs so I don't think we are going anywhere for a while."

The chart-topping boyband are the first act of the star-studded line up ahead of Ariana Grande, Olly Murs, Rita Ora, Little Mix, Avicii and chart-toppers Meghan Trainor and OMI.

They are playing two stadiums in one day and will rush back to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff for tonight's gig after the Wembley show.

Payne said of their new material: "We've just been rehearsing the new songs at the minute so it'll take time. We want to get that right - get it right in motion and it'll arise somewhere I'm sure."

Styles added: "As time goes on, we will keep adding to them."

Payne also said that Malik's absence has been missed, although he joked about the 22-year-old singer's soulful vocals.

"Obviously Zayn's got a good voice so it's quite fun doing the high bits," he quipped.

One Direction performed six songs including Steal My Girl, Story Of My Life and What Makes You Beautiful.

Horan told the screaming crowds: "This day last year we played this stadium. You guys are amazing, Wembley."

Little Mix, who were also on the bill, said performing at the one-day music festival meant "everything" to them.

Jesy Nelson said: "It's everything. We are coming back, we're performing Black Magic for the first time so we are so excited."

Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen, who wore a stunning green dress by DSquared with a Joan Jett-inspired black bob, admitted she had to find a last-minute outfit after her clothes were stuck at customs.

"This is all DSquared who were very sweet and gifted it to me. All my actual clothes are stuck at customs right now so this is a last-minute decision," she said.